CE

4
The Seven Deadly Skills
of
Sir Amoral the Misbegotten

Daniel J. Bishop

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 The Seven Deadly Skills of
Sir Amoral the Misbegotten
An adventure for Dungeon Crawl Classics characters
across multiple levels.
By Daniel J. Bishop • Cover Design by Michael Scotta
• Cartography by Paratime Design (Tim Hartin) •
Editing by Perry Fehr • Interior Art by Gary Dupuis,
Michael Scotta • Layout by Mark Gedak
Playtesters: Erik Tenkar, Joe D, Greg Christopher,
Crain Bagio, Michael Galligan
Introduction
Any role-playing game session can take a left turn at
Albuquerque, leaving the poor Game Master wondering
what to do next. This is even more true for the dedi-
cated Dungeon Crawl Classics judge, who discovers
that patron quests, divine disapproval, and the requests
of gods to pay back divine favor can make the game take
incredible new turns with the roll of a few dice. Add
to this the advice urging players to “Quest For It” when
they want something unusual for their players, and you
have a potent stew for gaming, but also a situation in
which the judge may want a short adventure location
with strong DCC elements and a minimum of prepara-
tion required.
In addition, for various reasons sometimes only a few
players were available for a night’s gaming. Each of
these areas is short enough to be played through by most
groups in only a single session. That doesn’t mean that
the value of the area is limited to a single session – each
adventure includes notes on “squeezing it dry”…ef-
fectively getting the maximum re-use from your invest-
ment.
Background
In years long past, Gryffon Keep was a border forti-
fication guarding a somewhat well-used roadway. In
that day, the keep was placed in the trust of Sir Harold
Amoral, one of the greatest warriors available to the then
Lord Duke. Time has changed the land, and brought
the keep low, and Sir Amoral has become little more
than a figure of fable and children’s story. That the ruins
in the forest were those of fabled Gryffon Keep have
been forgotten by most, and the area is now known to
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locals as the Forest Ruin.
Although history has faded to legend, the ghost of Sir
Amoral still haunts the ruined keep. During his life-
time, he sought to hoard his martial knowledge so that it
might never be used against him by a mortal foe. Now,
after death, he regrets this parsimony, and seeks above all
to pass on his skills to those who are worthy.
The catch, of course, is that the ghost believes that only
he can determine who is (or is not) worthy – and, of
course, his methods for doing this are deadly.
Using this Location
There are four main ways to use this location.
First, it may be discovered by the PCs as part of their
travels. Two-headed wolves (see The Seven Deadly
Monsters, below) live in the immediate vicinity, and the
Forest Ruin may be a perfect location to stage a battle
with them. If characters remain to explore the area, so
much the better. They may learn things that cause them
to return throughout the campaign.
Second, a warrior (and, to a lesser degree, some members
of other classes) may hear of Sir Amoral and come to
seek him out as a trainer. This can be due to a rumor,
but the judge is encouraged to have the PC encounter
someone else who was trained by Sir Amoral. This does
not have to be a villain, but it certainly can be a rival.
Third, a wizard or elf may wish to consult the Stone
Heads (see Area 1) about a spell. As they answer other
questions, they may be sought by any class. Because
they tell of those who used them last, the questions
themselves might not even be the point of consulting
them.
Finally, Area 6 could be expanded into an entire dun-
geon to explore, using either a published scenario or one
of the judge’s own devising. See Area 6 for more details.
Seven Deadly Skills of Sir Amoral
Sir Amoral’s special martial training skills are listed be-
low, in order.
The skills Sir Amoral has to teach are not supernatural,
but a supernatural geas comes along with learning them.
A student can teach only a skill preceding the last skill
he knows on this list. Doing so takes the same amount
of time and effort as if Sir Amoral had taught the skill
(although the mortal trainer may teach the skill to any
he chooses). As soon as a skill is taught, the mortal
teacher forgets the highest ranked skill he knows. It is as
if he had never learned it, and Sir Amoral’s ghost shuns
students who teach others his secrets. Worse yet, the
geas transfers with the teaching, so that the new student
can teach nothing unless he is taught two or more of
the seven skills, and then loses the higher skill when the
other is taught.
Sir Amoral does not provide food, water, or shelter to
his students (although Area 5 may offer shelter). The
student must see to his own welfare.
These descriptions do not include the cost Sir Amoral
demands for teaching his skills…for that see the section
entitled “Sir Amoral the Misbegotten”, below.
1. Panderson’s Disarm: Anyone can potentially learn
this, although Sir Amoral will only teach it to warriors
of any level. When performing a disarm maneuver us-
ing his Mighty Deed, a warrior increases his Deed Die
3
 by 1 step up the dice chain (to a maximum of 1d10).
A character without a Deed Die who learns Pander-
son’s Disarm gains a Deed Die, for this maneuver only,
of 1d3, which does not add to attack roll or damage.
This skill takes 2 weeks to learn, followed by an Intel-
ligence check (DC 10). If the check fails, the warrior
cannot learn Panderson’s Disarm this level.
2. Brackett’s Defense: Any warrior, a dwarf of level 2
or higher, and any other character of level 3 or higher,
can potentially learn Brackett’s Defense. This skill al-
lows a character to gain an additional bonus to Armor
Class equal to +2 or the character’s Agility modifier,
whichever is higher. Brackett’s Defense is only effec-
tive for unarmored or lightly armored characters (i.e.,
if a character’s Fumble Die is greater than 8, this is
ineffective). This skill takes 4 weeks to learn, followed
by an Intelligence check (DC 10). If the check fails,
the student cannot learn Brackett’s Defense this level.
fails this check three times cannot learn the skill this
level.
6. Wellman’s Overwhelm: This skill allows a war-
rior of level 3 or higher to best use strength, speed,
and momentum to throw, push, or trip an opponent.
When attempting these maneuvers, the warrior in-
creases his Deed Die by two steps up the dice chain,
to a maximum of 1d10. This skill takes six weeks to
learn, followed by both a Strength and Agility check
(DC 15 each). If either check fails, the character can
try again after an additional four weeks’ training. Both
checks must then be attempted again. So long as
both checks do not fail, the character can keep try-
ing to learn the skill using another four week block of
time. Any significant break in training means that the
character must start over at six weeks’ training time.
A character who fails both checks after any block of
training cannot learn this skill at his current level.

3. Amerritt’s Counterstrike: Any warrior of level 2 7. Amoral’s Savage Return: This skill can only be
or higher, with an Agility of 12 or better, can poten- learned by a warrior of level 5 or higher. Once per
tially learn Amerritt’s Counterstrike. Once per round, round, when successfully struck by an opponent for 5
when an opponent makes an attack roll that misses or more points of damage, the warrior can make a free
the warrior, she can counter by making a free attack attack. So swift is this savage return that the attack
using 1d14. This skill is only effective for unarmored can be made even if the damage done by the oppo-
or lightly armored characters (i.e., if a character’s nent drops the warrior. Finally, this attack is resolved
Fumble Die is greater than 8, this is ineffective). This with critical range extended by 2, so that if the warrior
skill takes 4 weeks to learn, followed by an Intelligence normally caused a critical hit on a natural 18-20, this
check (DC 10). If the check fails, the student cannot attack would cause a critical hit on a 16-20. This skill
learn Amerritt’s Counterstrike this level. takes 10 weeks to learn, and at the end of this period
the warrior must make a successful Agility, Stamina,
4. Hagen’s Swift Saber: Anyone can potentially learn and Strength check (DC 15 each). So long as all
this skill, which grants a +2 bonus to Initiative rolls. three checks do not fail, the character can keep try-
This skill takes four weeks to learn, followed by an ing to learn the skill using another six week block of
Agility check (DC 10). If the check fails, the character time. Any significant break in training means that the
must be trained for an additional four weeks to make character must start over at ten weeks’ training time.
another check. A character who fails all three checks after any block of
training cannot learn this skill at his current level.
5. Edrice’s Crippling Blow: This skill can be learned
by any warrior, a dwarf or thief of level 2 or higher, or
an elf of level 3 or higher. Edrice’s Crippling Blow in-
Sir Amoral the Misbegotten
Sir Amoral appears much as he did in life – a powerful
creases the critical range of the character by 1 step (i.e.,
middle-aged man with a flowing black beard, dressed in
a warrior who gains a critical effect on a 19-20 now
chainmail with a surcoat decorated with a crimson grif-
gains a critical effect on 18-20). This skill takes six
fon rampant. He has a longsword belted at his side. His
weeks to learn, followed by an Agility check (DC 15).
exposed flesh is seamed with the scars of many battle-
If the check fails, the character must be trained for an
wounds, and half of his left ear is missing. Although he
additional four weeks to make another check. Any
appears solid, he is a ghost, and non-magical attacks pass
significant break in training means that the character
through him. This does not prevent him from touching
must start over at six weeks’ training. A character who
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Skills & Feats
The Seven Deadly Skills are not intended to
be analogous to “feats” in other game systems.
While a character obtains a “feat” simply because
the player selects it (as a function of gaining a
level, or through using some form of point-buy),
these skills are intended to be earned by charac-
ters in-play. There are no limitations to what a
character can quest for, except those which are
imposed by the judge, and the success or failure
of the quest. Quest benefits are balanced against
the difficulty of obtaining them far more than
they are against character levels.
The judge is cautioned not to remove the geas
which controls how these special skills can be
taught to others. If you do, every PC in the
campaign will soon possess as many of the seven
skills as their class and level permit!
If the judge does allow the PCs to quest for a
means to break the geas, these skills will not
break the game. They will, however, make some
encounters and situations easier to deal with. In
this case, the judge should simply allow the PCs
to face greater challenges or reduce XP according
to the difficulty a challenge presents.
others when he wishes, however!
The ghost of Sir Amoral the Misbegotten is concerned
only about two things – passing his knowledge on to
each generation, and ensuring that only the “worthy”
learn his skills. As a result, Sir Amoral will only hear the
petitions of those who pass his first test – climbing to his
chamber at the top of Area 5.
Once he has heard a petitioner, Sir Amoral must then
test the would-be student to determine if he is worthy.
The character must wait at Area 2 until a creature comes,
and then the student must fight that creature in single
combat and bring Sir Amoral proof of victory. This
might be simple enough if left to chance, but Sir Amoral
has the power to summon monsters, and he summons
specific creatures to challenge those who would seek to
learn his skills.
Wily PCs might wish to beat Sir Amoral at his own
game, and release their own creatures to fight, or even
allow the petitioner to defeat one of the group. The
summoned monster is still coming, though, and it is still
looking for a fight.
Even passing this test, the seeker must promise to
perform some quest for Sir Amoral once his training
is complete, to prove his worthiness. If this promise is
not extracted, Sir Amoral will not train the individual.
If it is given, but not kept, no further training will ever
be given, and future students may well be given a spe-
cial quest – to hunt down the “false student” and bring
his head to Sir Amoral as proof. Otherwise, the judge
should use these quests to send the PC (and by exten-
sion, the group) on adventures of his choosing.
Remember, however, that Sir Amoral’s goals are to in-
crease the powers of Law and Light. The spirit, although
Neutral, views himself as a shining example of knightly
grace. Role-play Sir Amoral as though courtly Sir Lance-
lot were also the “mean drill sergeant” of many an army
film, and you will have nailed the character. He is bru-
tal, vicious, and insulting to those he trains or those who
petition for training, while being utterly courteous to all
others who appear to be of rank.
In combat, Sir Amoral is a challenge for even high-level
adventurers. In addition to being the ghost of a power-
ful warrior, Sir Amoral can use all of the Seven Deadly
Skills, and he will immediately begin summoning each
of the Seven Deadly Monsters, in order, one per round,
as a free action. Sir Amoral can turn invisible at will,
returning to visibility on any following round. Because
of the Seven Deadly Skills, Sir Amoral potentially gains
two extra attacks each round – one against a creature
who misses (using 1d14) and one against a creature who
hits and does 5 or more points of damage (with a critical
range of 15-20). When Sir Amoral causes a critical hit,
he uses 1d30 on Table V, unless the roll is a natural “20”,
in which case he uses 1d14 on Table U.
A being who delivers the final blow that slays the ghost
of Sir Amoral is instantly assaulted with knowledge of all
seven skills, and must make a DC 20 Will save to retain
them. If that fails, he may make a DC 15 Will save to
retain three of his choice. If that fails, he may make a
DC 10 Will save to retain one random skill. This char-
acter may now teach the Seven Deadly Skills to others
without fear of loss, but his students are not so lucky
– the same geas applies to any he teaches as did to those
5
 taught by Sir Amoral.
For information on laying the ghost of Sir Amoral to
rest, see Area 2.
Sir Amoral the Misbegotten (warrior ghost): Init +11;
Atk longsword +d10+1 melee (1d8+d10+1); AC 15; HD
9d12; hp 70; MV 30’ or fly 40’; Act 2d20; SP un-dead
traits, immune to non-magical attacks, non-corporeal,
invisibility, summon monsters, deadly skills, Deed Die
(d10+1), critical range 17-20, special critical hits; SV
Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8; AL N.
The Seven Deadly Monsters
A character who wishes to learn Panderson’s Disarm
must face the Satryx – a goat-horned humanoid creature
whose skin is covered with tattoos denoting strength and
power. She bears two short swords, which she can use
ambidextrously, allowing her to make two attacks each
round. Her skin is like iron. If disarmed, she can spend
an Action Die to make one of her swords leap back into
her hand with a 1 in 3 chance.
Satryx
6
If both weapons are disarmed, she will surrender im-
mediately, bowing and fading away. Her swords are left
behind her as proof of victory, and they function for her
victor only as if they had a +1 bonus to attack rolls and
damage.
There is only one Satryx. She appears within 1d6 rounds
of being summoned by Sir Amoral, and seemingly ar-
rives on foot. She cannot be permanently slain – an
attack that would do so simply causes her to fade away
(in whatever gory state her body may be in), leaving her
swords, to reform the next time she is summoned. Once
slain, she cannot be summoned until after the next full
moon.
Satryx: Init +2; Atk short sword +2 melee (1d6); AC
18; HD 2d6; hp 12; MV 30’; Act 1d20 or 2d16; SP
ambidexterity, return disarmed sword 1 in 3, cannot be
permanently slain; SV Fort +2 , Ref +4, Will +2; AL N.
A character who wishes to learn Brackett’s Defense
must face a two-headed wolf, which arrives through
natural means within 2d6 rounds of being summoned
by Sir Amoral. If he himself is locked in combat, Sir
Amoral can summon 2d3-1 of these things. They roam
the area in which the Forest Ruin is located, and the
judge is encouraged to use them in other local adven-
tures!
If a two-headed wolf hits the same target with both its
bite attacks, the target must make a DC 10 Reflex save
or be knocked prone.
Two-headed wolf: Init +3; Atk bite +2 melee (1d4); AC
12; HD 2d6; MV 40’; Act 2d20; SP knock prone; SV
Fort +3 , Ref +4, Will +2; AL L.
A warrior wishing to learn Amerritt’s Counterstrike
must face the deadly faceless gray horror. This crea-
ture appears to be a strangely-muscled humanoid with
a blank face, bearing two short scything blades. It has
three fingers on each hand, and three broad toes com-
prise each foot. When summoned, the gray horror
arises from the well in Area 6 after 1d7 rounds, and then
must approach the area it is summoned to on foot at its
normal speed.
If personally threatened, Sir Amoral can summon 1d6
faceless gray horrors. If each of these are killed, he can
summon 1d5. If they are killed, he can summon 1d4,

Faceless Horror
then 1d3, then 1, and then he cannot summon any more there are 243 vine warriors in the vicinity of the Forest
until a month has passed.
Although these alien horrors have no faces, they can
detect the presence of other creatures within 120’, even
if they are silent or invisible. If a creature attacks a face- Amoral can summon up to 4d6 with an action.
less horror and misses, the horror may make an extra free
attack once each round at that creature.
See Area 6 for more details on these horrors.
Faceless gray horror: Init +2; Atk sickle-scythe +3
melee (1d6+2) or fist +1 melee (1d3); AC 14; HD 2d6;
MV 30’ or climb 20’ or swim 20’; Act 2d20; SP detect
creatures 120’; SV Fort +4 , Ref +4, Will +8; AL C.
A character who wishes to learn Hagan’s Swift Saber is
challenged by a six-foot long draconic scorpion of ter-
rible speed. This creature attacks with two claws, a bite,
and a deadly sting. If both claws hit, it may make a free
attack with its sting.
In addition to damage, the sting has a fierce poison (Fort
DC 15) that causes 1d6 points of Strength damage on a
failed save and 1d3 points of Strength damage if the save
succeeds. This sting can be eliminated with a successful
Mighty Deed.
The draconic scorpion appears to scuttle out from rubble
2d6 rounds after it is summoned, but it actually ar-
rives from another plane of existence. Sir Amoral can
summon no more than seven of these in a week, and if
attacked, he can summon 1d7 as an action until his al-
lotment is filled.
Draconic scorpion: Init +8; Atk claw +3 melee (1d6+2)
or bite +2 melee (1d8+2) or sting +0 melee (1d3 + poi-
son); AC 16; HD 4d6; MV 50’ or climb 20’; Act 2d20;
SP poison; SV Fort +6 , Ref +8, Will +0; AL C.
Those who wish to learn Edrice’s Crippling Blow must
face a vine warrior. The plants which fed upon the forc-
es Sir Amoral once led have gained sentience of a sort,
and the skill the of the fighting men they consumed.
Appearing like vaguely humanoid conglomerations of
vine, mixed with the bones and equipment of the dead,
a vine warrior wields a short sword and wears bits and
pieces of the former fighter’s armor.
Sir Amoral has a limited number of vine warriors that
he can summon – unless changed by campaign events,
Ruin. These are dormant unless called by Sir Amoral.
Each pushes up from a shallow grave, or comes from the
forest, arriving 2d6 minutes after being summoned. Sir
Vine warriors have an extended critical range (19-20),
but are themselves immune to critical hits. They are
immune to mind-affecting spells and effects, except the
summons of Sir Amoral. Vine warriors are not un-dead.
Anyone slain by a vine warrior becomes a new vine
warrior, adding to those Sir Amoral can summon. This
transformation takes 1d3 years, as the new plants grow.
They use 1d10 on Table III for critical hits.
The gear used by vine warriors is typically bent, rusted,
and pitted, but there is a 1 in 16 chance that some piece
of equipment used by a vine warrior is still generally
serviceable.
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Vine Warrior
Vine warrior: Init +2; Atk short sword +2 melee (1d6);
AC 14; HD 5d6; MV 30’ or climb 20’; Act 2d20; SP
extended critical range (19-20), immune to critical hits
and mind-affecting; SV Fort +4 , Ref +4, Will +0; AL N.
A warrior who wishes to learn Wellman’s Overwhelm
must first defeat a Tabattax marshal – a seven-foot-tall
humanoid tiger-man with bat-like wings, whose species
hails from a distant plane (see front of product). Long
ago, when Sir Amoral was still young and alive, the
Tabattax made a truce to send aid when he called. Little
did they know that their obligations would last beyond
the knight’s death, and they now grow weary of being
summoned for so paltry a reason as to fight against a
potential student.
Because of this weariness, the marshal will grant mercy
any opponent who clearly surrenders. This ennui is also
the source of the marshal’s low Initiative modifier. At
the judge’s discretion, it may also make him easier to
trick by wily characters.
8
The Tabattax marshal is extremely strong (+6 bonus) and
knocks an opponent prone with any successful attack
(DC 10 Strength check to resist). If the strength check
fails by 5 or more, the opponent is also knocked back 5
feet and takes an additional 1d3 points of damage.
If slain, the marshal’s head gains the power of prophesy,
and will speak occasional truths in various languages
until it has rotted down to a skull. This takes about
1d3+3 months, but some character occupations might
be able to preserve the head longer. The judge should
roll 1d100 using the Wizard column of Appendix L
(page 440-441 of the core rulebook) to determine what
language any given prophecy is spoken in. The judge
may use these prophesies to foreshadow campaign events
or to supply adventure hooks.
The Tabattax appears in the air after 1d6+3 minutes, at
a distance of (1d6+3) x 100’. If Sir Amoral is attacked,
the Tabattax marshal brings with him a squad of 20
Tabattax troopers. While the marshal is armed with an
enormous falchion sword, the troopers are armed with
spears. These weapons are too large for most characters
to use, and even a large man would need a 17 or greater
Strength. The troopers do not have the knockdown abil-
ity of the marshal.
The Tabattax cannot be summoned more than once
every year, in accordance with their agreement with Sir
Amoral.
Tabattax marshal: Init –4; Atk large falchion +9 melee
(1d10+6) or bite +6 melee (1d6); AC 16; HD 8d8; hp
50; MV 30’ or fly 50’; Act 2d20; SP knockdown; SV
Fort +6 , Ref +2, Will +3; AL L.
Tabattax trooper: Init +2; Atk large spear +6 melee
(1d8+4) or bite +3 melee (1d4); AC 14; HD 3d8; hp 12
each; MV 30’ or fly 50’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +4 , Ref +2,
Will +1; AL L.
A character who wishes to learn Amoral’s Savage Re-
turn must face the Eye of Uburtosis, a powerful crea-
ture from one of the Hell planes. This strange creature
looks like a floating ball protected by a stony shell. Four
eyestalks protrude from this shell, each armed with a
single amber eye, allowing it to see all around it, and
into other planes of existence, including some slight
awareness of possible future events.
This eye allows it a 1 in 3 chance to avoid any special
effect (apart from damage) from a critical hit or Mighty

Eye of Uburtosis
Deed. A successful Deed of 3+ that is not avoided can
sever an eyestalk, but all four stalks must be severed to
negate this ability.

When its fang-laden mouth opens, a larger fifth eye is

revealed, glaring outward from within its maw. Any
creature meeting this eye’s gaze must make a DC 10 Will
save or lose 1d3 points of Personality. As the character
loses Personality, his features and equipment become less
personalized and more generic. If the target reaches 0
Personality, the Eye has consumed his soul, leaving an
empty shell for another being to inhabit. Otherwise,
the Personality loss is healed normally. This eye can be
blinded with a successful Mighty Deed of 5+, eliminat-
ing this danger.

The Eye is also able to extrude up to five fleshy tendrils

from its softer base, which can reach targets as far as 10’
away. These tendrils form rigid hooks and blades to
damage opponents. Extrusion, attack, and withdrawal
are all part of the same action. This softer base can be
hit with a Deed of 3+ and a successful attack against
AC 12, but this uses the Deed, and can be negated on
a 1 in 3 chance so long as any eyestalk remains. In this
case, the strike must hit the Eye’s base AC, and gains no
special effect. A tendril may be severed with a Mighty
Deed of 4+.

There is only one Eye of Uburtosis, and Sir Amoral can

summon it only once every three years. If it is slain, Sir
Amoral’s ghost disappears after training the student, and
does not reappear until 10d5 months have passed. Dur-
Personal Combat
One of the great things about Dungeon Crawl
ing this time, Sir Amoral wanders far in strange planes,
Classics is that even complex battles are resolved
seeking out a new creature (of the judge’s choice or
relatively quickly. For this reason, judges should
devising) to take the place of the Eye.
not be afraid of allowing one-on-one combats
to occur within an adventure. The other players
Eye of Uburtosis: Init +4; Atk tendril +7 melee (1d6+3)
need not wait too long for the issue to be re-
or bite +5 melee (2d6) or slam +3 melee (1d6+2); AC
solved. They can place bets on champions, and,
18; HD 10d8+20; hp 60; MV fly 40’; Act 4d20; SP
should their comrade fall, roll over the body or
avoid critical/deed 1 in 3, Personality loss; SV Fort +10 ,
supply magical healing to save the unfortunate
Ref +8, Will +10; AL C.
warrior’s life!

9
 Encounter Areas When a stone head has answered questions or been
1. The Stone Heads: This ruined building was perhaps asked about a spell, it tells of the last person who activat-
once a chapel, for the deep cuts of long, narrow windows ed before returning to inanimate stone. For instance, “I
gash what remains of the walls. None of these windows was last asked about dangers along the route to Harper’s
comes to an apex, because the walls simply do not extend Mill by the travelling tinker, Emil Thon, who hides a
that far. Tumbledown beams and a rubble of worked and large ruby in the heel of his left boot.” or “I was last
fallen masonry fill the building interior and are scattered asked about the spell, detect magic, by the Purple Wiz-
around the general area. ard of Marrjon, who now carries the Strange of Elvenor,
though he seeks to hide it for fear of rival wizards.” The
This was once a chapel dedicated to Gorhan, the Helmed judge is encouraged to use this feature to foreshadow
Vengeance, god of valor and chivalry. The ruined stone campaign events, and to place seeds for other adventures.
in the interior makes it difficult to walk here, and snakes
hide in the rubble. There is a 1 in 6 chance of startling a When a PC uses a stone head, it in turn identifies who
snake here, and a 1 in 7 chance that any snake startled is used it to the next being to activate it, and tells that
a poisonous wood viper. Lawful clerics and worshipers being something that the PC would rather others did
of Gorhan are never bit by these snakes, however, unless not know. The only way to prevent this is to smash the
they attack them first. mouth of the head, using a large hammer or equivalent.
Mending can restore the head, but not the magic that
Wood viper: Init +3; Atk bite +3 melee (1d3 plus animates it. At the judge’s discretion, a combination
poison); AC 14; HD 1d6; MV 20’ or climb 20’ or swim of mending, breathe life, and consult spirit may restore a
20’; Act 1d20; SP poison (1d3 Stamina; Fort DC 16 or damaged head.
half is permanent); SV Fort +0 , Ref +3, Will +0; AL N.
Once the party has encountered the stone heads and
A cleric of Gorhan who meditates here for 1 hour can left this area for one week or more, 1d3-1 heads are
remove 1 point of disapproval (to a minimum of 1). A destroyed between each visit until all the heads are
warrior healed within the chapel ruins gains +1d of heal- destroyed. This represents the actions of NPCs who,
ing on any successful Lay on Hands check. A Chaotic having consulted a stone head, wish to keep their secrets
cleric who wishes to enter this space must succeed in undisclosed.
a DC 12 Will save, or he is barred from entry for 24
hours. 2. Gates of Gryffon Keep: The weed-lined, worn path
leads up the hill to the fallen gates of a small keep. You can
The rubble to the northwest of the building contains a see a partially collapsed tower to the northeast and another
jumble of arch keystones, each carved with an image of a tower, still seemingly standing 30 feet high to the southwest.
young nobleman. Many of these have had part of their The iron-bound doors that once guarded the keep are lie
faces removed with a heavy hammer, so as to eliminate face-down before it, two massive slabs of rusted metal and
mouth and chin. When this area is first encountered, thick weathered oak.
seven are intact, and there are signs of blood having been
smeared on their lips. The doors are eaten by worms and ants, and normal
fungi grow upon them, but they are still solid at their
If a character spills blood equivalent to 1 point of Spell- core. The doors are very heavy, requiring a Strength
burn on the lips of an intact stone face, the face will check (DC 15, up to 4 characters can work together) to
animate and speak, “What is it you seek?” flip over. Each door must be flipped with its own check.
If this is done, though, two bronze crests are revealed –
Each mouth can answer up to 10 questions that can be one on each door. These show a griffon rampant – the
answered with Yes or No, or has a percentage chance sigil of Gryffon Keep. The ancient bronze crests can be
equal to 12 minus spell level of being able to supply the sold for 15 gp each locally, but to the right buyer they
missing information to allow a wizard or elf to learn a might be worth considerably more.
single given spell.
If these crests ever hang again from Gryffon Keep, Sir
Amoral’s ghost will be laid to rest. However, removing
10
them again will cause the ghost to return in 3d6 months.
On a natural “3” the ghost returns in 3d6 days; on a
natural “18” in 3d6 years.
3. The Courtyard: Beyond the gateway is a ruined court-
yard, choked with rubble, fallen beams, and rank weeds.
The ceiling is long gone, and the beams you can see are
charred, as though there had been a fire here long ago. A
few patches of wildflowers manage to find purchase on soil
that has built up over the cracked flagstones, and thick vines
grow in strangling lines here and there upon the walls. You
can see a passage to the southwest, and a rubble-choked pas-
sage to the northeast.
Searching here uncovers animal scat, a few fragments of
bone (human and animal), rusted shards of weapons or
armor, and little more. The human bone fragments are
very old, being from the fall of Gryffon Keep.
4. Ruined Tower: This tower is difficult to enter due to
rubble and debris blocking the passage. A character who
attempts this must roll both a DC 10 Reflex save and a
DC 10 Luck check. If either fail, the character hurts his
foot or ankle, reducing movement by 5’ for 1d6 hours.
If both fail, the character also loses 1d3 Agility, and the
speed reduction lasts until the Agility damage is healed.
The interior of this tower is only about 20 feet high, the
upper parts of the walls having collapsed. Although bits of
wooden beam still cling precariously to the inner parts of the
wall, it is easy enough to see the sky.
Anyone foolish enough to throw a grapple at a beam and
start climbing suffers 1d6 damage from the fall when the
damaged beam comes loose. They must then succeed
in a DC 15 Reflex save or be hit by the falling wood
for 1d4 damage. Testing the grapple loosens the beam,
which can be avoided in this case with a DC 10 save.
There is nothing of value here.
5. Haunt of Sir Amoral: This tower is relatively intact,
with two floors and a roof surviving. Ladders embedded
into the north wall give access to the upper floors. There are
trapdoors, still intact, between the floors.
When a character seeks to enter this passage, two vine
warriors push up from the ground to bar the way. Any
who seeks Sir Amoral must first deal with these guard-
ians. This is not a single combat – a warrior is not
penalized for having aid. These vine warriors, and their
replacements if these are slain, are part of the total num-
ber Sir Amoral has to draw on.
Vine warriors (2): Init +2; Atk short sword +2 melee
(1d6); AC 14; HD 5d6; hp 15, 12; MV 30’ or climb
20’; Act 2d20; SP extended critical range (19-20), im-
mune to critical hits and mind-affecting; SV Fort +4 ,
Ref +4, Will +0; AL N.
5a: Ground Floor: The passage leads into a 20-foot square
chamber, the base of a tower. Although old and grey, the
boards and beams of a floor above this one seem solid
enough. A rusty iron ladder embedded in the north wall
leads to a trapdoor in the ceiling. Dried animal feces and
nesting material show that this area is not always unoccu-
pied. The 15-foot high ceiling is thickly cobwebbed and the
floor is of broken flagstones.
The vine warriors described above do not seek to stop
non-humanoid life from entering this chamber.
An elf climbing the iron rungs is severely discomfited;
so much so that he is at -1d to all rolls for 10 minutes
thereafter unless he makes a DC 10 Fort save. 0-level
elves may be even more strongly affected, at the judge’s
discretion.
A dwarf can smell copper (from the barrel hoops) up
above.
5b: Upper Floor: Beyond the trapdoor is another cham-
ber, also 20 feet square, and about 15 feet high. The
chamber is furnished with the ruined remains of a cot, and
some barrels that are now nothing more than dusty wooden
staves and bits of green-colored copper banding. To the right
of the trapdoor on the north wall, another iron ladder is set
into the wall, leading to another trapdoor overhead. This
trapdoor is open, showing the sky above. It has been open
for some time, if the accumulated detritus on the floor, the
water stains, and the rusted iron rungs are any indication.
Sir Amoral waits here invisibly, to observe those who
enter this chamber. If he sees a promising warrior-type
(which can be a non-warrior character for some of his
skills), he will appear and, depending upon their reac-
tion, introduce himself and possibly even offer training.
The judge is encouraged to print off and allow the play-
ers to read the Seven Deadly Skills. Sir Amoral makes it
clear that he will expect first a proof of worthiness, and
11
 then a service in payment for his training, whether the dark paths into the stone.
student succeeds in learning a skill or not.
The faceless gray horrors (see The Seven Deadly Mon-
Unless the group is very powerful, Sir Amoral feels sters, above) emerge from this well. At the judge’s dis-
himself in no real danger from them, and takes pains to cretion, this area may be developed into a full dungeon,
make it obvious that he doesn’t view the group as worthy occupied by the gray horrors and other creatures, or the
opponents. See also the introductory section, Sir Amor- seeming-passages may only be where the horrors appear
al the Misbegotten, for notes on role-playing Sir Amor- as they traverse from another plane. The judge can have
al. Sir Amoral should be a character that is, potentially, the well be a nexus leading to many other, distant adven-
an ally and mentor (of sorts), as well as a giver of quests, ture sites, with each dark crack leading somewhere new.
but who the players should have both affection for and
hatred of. Eventually being able to defeat Sir Amoral
should drive some characters, at least, to greatness.
Squeezing it Dry
The judge is encouraged to use the creatures presented
herein in other contexts. Perhaps the PCs journey to the
As before, an elf climbing the iron rungs is severely dis-
home plane of the Tabattax, or encounter two-headed
comfited; so much so that he is at -1d to all rolls for 10
wolves being used as guards and hunting animals by a lo-
minutes thereafter unless he makes a DC 10 Fort save.
cal orc tribe. The Satryx might have information about
0-level elves may be even more strongly affected, at the
the correct ritual to use patron bond with the King of
judge’s discretion.
Elfland, and be sought out for her knowledge.
A dwarf can faintly smell gold from above.
The judge may choose to spice up some of his NPC war-
riors with one or more of the Seven Deadly Skills. This
5c: Roof: Beyond the trapdoor is the tower roof…20 feet
may, in fact, be how the players first learn of Sir Amoral.
square and protected by crenellations whose merlons reach 6
feet in height. Leaves have fallen here over the years, creat-
The stone heads at Area 2 can be used to offer adven-
ing a soil in which moss, weeds, and even young saplings
ture hooks, as they tell about their last user, and the
have taken root.
well at Area 6 can lead directly to other adventures. As
an oracle, Area 2 merits repeat visits, and as a nexus,
Under moss and leaves, a simple gold ring can be found
Area 6 can be used both as a starting location and as an
(Luck DC 20 if a character searches, or dwarf ’s ability
unexpected terminus of some narrow passage hundreds
to smell gold locates). Although unadorned, this ring is
of miles away. This also offers the judge a reason to toss
worth 15 gp for its metal content. If worn constantly,
one or more faceless gray horrors into any adventure(s)
however, it acts as a lucky charm.
she desires.
After the ring has been worth for 24 hours, and so long
The quests of Sir Amoral may be anything the judge de-
as it is not removed, the wearer may recover 1 point of
sires, but the judge should consider having the PCs hunt
Luck spent each day. A character may spend any num-
down a character trained by Sir Amoral, but who refused
ber of points of Luck, but only 1 point spent in a given
to perform his “payment”. A character may find himself
day is ever recovered by the ring. If worn by a thief or
in the same position, with Sir Amoral’s newest student
halfling, the ring simply increases Luck recovered by 1
hunting him down at the ghost’s behest.
point spent each day. i.e., if a thief spent 3 points on
one day, and no points on the next, then the thief would
Finally, the judge may place a buried treasure in this
recover an extra 1 point after the first day only.
location. Beneath Area 1 or Area 4 would require the
most work from the players. Beneath Area 5 or hidden
6. The Well of Despair: Rubble surrounds a deep hole in
in the well at Area 6 could also offer some amusement to
the ground here, almost 6 feet in diameter, with a two-foot
players and judge. A treasure map that indicates “great
wide lip of worked stone around it, a foot high. Water can
wealth for a man of valor” might refer to Sir Amoral
be glimpsed at the bottom of the well, almost 80 feet down.
himself.
The stone of the well looks natural after the first 20 feet. It
is seamed and uneven, with disturbing shadows that hint at
12

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15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Rules Document Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.;
Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on original
material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
DCC RPG, copyright © 2012 Goodman Games, all rights reserved, visit
www.goodman-games.com or contact info@ goodman-games.com
Campaign Element: The Seven Deadly Skills of Sir Amoral the Misbegotten
© 2013, Purple Duck Games; Author Daniel J. Bishop
This product is based on the Dungeon Crawl Classics Role Playing Game,
published by Goodman Games. This product is published under license.
Dungeon Crawl Classics and DCC RPG are trademarks of Good-
man Games. All rights reserved. For additional information, visit www.
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Purple Duck Note: I can’t imagine what Daniel has for
us next in CE 5 - Silent Nightfall.
Open Game Content: All text is considered Open
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13